Ha! New Orleans recording artist Juvenile is backing that azz up—into a collaboration with Urban South Brewery on a new beer, Juvie Juice, a hard concoction that is half-lemonade and half-iced tea
Jacob Landry, founder and president of Urban South Brewery said in a written statement, according to WGNO, “We are really excited about our collaboration with Juvenile. ‘Juvie Juice’ is inspired by his favorite drink, the Arnold Palmer. This is also the brewery’s first time releasing a hard iced tea, and we are excited about how the formula turned out.”
The announcement came via the company’s Instagram account last month.
“We collaborated with @juviethegreat himself on crafting the PERFECT hard iced tea with lemonade for sipping on along the parade route. Sweet and balanced, you’re not gonna want to miss the chance to sip on Juvie’s favorite drink as soon as you can!”
The rapper took to his Instagram account to share the news that Juvie Juice has sold out throughout in locations where it was in stock. The rapper also asked people who purchased the beer to tag him.
“Thank you everyone for your support!! Today we went by @southerneaglenola and showed love to the team selling #JuvieJuice to the grocery stores and convenience stores and bars and THEY SOLD OUT!! Thank you and take pictures when you find them and tag me I will repost you!”
The new alcoholic beverage is listed as 5% ABV, and they are available in 12 oz and 19.2.oz cans.
To celebrate the product’s launch, Juvenile autographed dozens of can labels on the production line before they hit stores. Customers who post a picture of their autographed can and tag Urban South, and bring the can in to snag a variety of prizes.
Survey: 47% Of Black Business Owners Project Gaining Financing Key To Their Success
The hurdle of obtaining financing to help start or grow businesses remains a lingering problem for many establishments, particularly small Black-owned businesses.
And the challenges have been intensified in recent years by headwinds such as high inflation and COVID-19 that forced many Black businesses to close, create new strategies to rebound from the pandemic, and consider other approaches to help ensure their growth, longevity and survival.
The adversity comes as the technology firm Hello Alice just lately released its 2023 Black Business Owners Insight Report sponsored by Mastercard and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Some 3,176 Black small business owners were surveyed by Hello Allice to honor
Black History Month and identify their characteristics and challenges heading into this year.
It was reported Hello Alice is a small business platform helping over one million SMBs across the U.S. achieve equitable access to capital. Its fresh report focuses on the challenges experienced by Black business owners, uncovers the gaps of services, and celebrates the momentum of this demographic. It touched on the needs and challenges of Black small business owners and found they are specifically venerable to macroeconomic conditions in 2023 as the year moves forward.
The good news is Black owners “are overall more optimistic about their futures and voiced uncommon perseverance as they pursue innovative ideas and solutions.”
Some of the findings revealed 47% of Black small business owners predicted that the success of their business will be conditional on their ability to secure funding, as well as grow their customer base.
Another discovery is Black business owners are much younger than other demographics with roughly 66% of black business below age 40. The report surmised that indicates “a new generation of black business owners and a steady growth of business creation”
So, why is it critical for Black business owners to secure financing given the uneven economy in recent months, particularly for younger Black entrepreneurs trying to grow or expand businesses?
Kelsey Ruger of Hello Alice Photo provided by Hello Alice
Kelsey Ruger, chief product & technology officer at Hello Alice told BLACK ENTERPRISE via email securing financing now is crucial for Black business owners because it enables them to be prepared for unexpected challenges and opportunities. Some 80% of owners are considering applying for financing this year.
“An operating capital surplus can help them weather unexpected downturns in the economy and continue to take advantage of opportunities that might otherwise be missed. This is particularly important for young Black entrepreneurs who are trying to grow their businesses, as they need access to funding to invest in new products, expand their customer base, or hire additional employees.”
Ruger says there are several challenges that Black entrepreneurs face, but two important ones are the difficulty in accessing capital and the lack of representation and support in business networks. “These challenges can significantly hinder their ability to accelerate the growth of their businesses, which is a crucial driver for success.”
He pointed out 40% of Black entrepreneurs and owners surveyed noted raising capital as their greatest challenge. “They often receive less financing, less often, and at higher rates than non-Black entrepreneurs. A lack of access to capital makes it harder for them to start and grow their businesses, as they have fewer resources to invest in their ventures. However, securing financing is critical for accelerating the growth of their businesses, whether it’s to expand their operations, hire more employees, or invest in new equipment or technology.”
He added a lack of representation and support in business networks makes it harder for Black entrepreneurs “to build relationships with mentors, investors, and other key industry players, which can sometimes be the hidden key they need to take the next step.”
Check out some tips to help Black business owners with financing and other resources here.
TikTok to Develop Parental Control Tool to Block Certain Videos
TikTok said on Wednesday it is developing a tool that will allow parents to prevent their teens from viewing content containing certain words or hashtags on the short-form video app, as the embattled company looks to shore up its public image.
TikTok, owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance, is facing renewed scrutiny worldwide over its proximity to the Chinese government and protection of user data.
The app, wildly popular among younger users, has been banned from government-owned phones in the United States, Canada and other countries due to security concerns.
Like other social media apps, TikTok has also faced criticism for not doing enough to shield teens from inappropriate content.
Development of the parental control feature is in the early stages and the app will consult with parenting, youth and civil society organizations to design the tool, TikTok said.
It also announced new features to help users limit the amount of time they spend on the app. Accounts belonging to users under 18 will automatically have a time limit of one hour per day, and teens will need to enter a passcode to continue using the app, TikTok said in a blog post.
If teens choose to remove the daily limit and scroll TikTok for more than 100 minutes per day, the app will display a prompt encouraging them to set time limits.
Parents will now also be able to set custom time limits for their teens’ TikTok usage depending on the day of the week, the company said.
Yvette Nicole Brown Gets Candid About Obesity With “It’s Bigger Than Me” Movement
Actress Yvette Nicole Brown sat down with BLACK ENTERPRISE to educate us on the realness of obesity as part of the “It’s Bigger Than Me” obesity awareness movement.
Beginning on Wednesday, March 8, It’s Bigger Than Me will launch the “It’s Bigger Than Me series” moderated by Brown and a panel of influencers and healthcare professionals on conversations about obesity.
The series continues the successful It’s Bigger Than Me Live tri-city tour from last year and aims to dispel myths surrounding obesity and educate viewers about the challenges that lie at the intersection of culture and pursuing health.
Brown took part in last year’s tours alongside Queen Latifah and loved the insightful initiative.
“The whole crux of it is teaching people that obesity is a disease,” Brown told BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“I don’t think, at least when I was growing up, we didn’t look at it that way. And when you look at it through that lens, it changes how you talk to yourself.”
Brown spoke openly about weight changes throughout her life and shared her hope for the campaign to help bridge a gap and form new obesity allies and advocates.
“If you’re living with obesity, it changes how you treat others that are living with obesity, and it creates a space for us to talk about it in a way that keeps everybody’s dignity,” she said.
The series tackles stigmas and shares facts and resources with a round table of people who understand the seriousness of the disease. The series begins on March 8 and will continue every other week through mid-April.
“Each of our talks, we’re talking to influencers, doctors, people living with obesity, talking about body positivity versus health,” Brown explained.
Press play below to hear Brown get candid about the disease and dish on her new BounceTV sitcom called Act Your Age with Tisha Campbell and Kim Whitley.
Draymond Green Wants to Get Rid of Black History Month, ‘Teach My History’ All Year
NBA champion Draymond Green is calling for an end to Black History Month in an effort to ensure Black culture is celebrated year-round, and not just during the shortest month of the year.
Green sat down for a post-game press conference on Tuesday at the Chase Center following the Golden State Warriors 123-105 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, TMZreported. Green was wearing a blue shirt that read “BUILT BY BLACK HISTORY,” which led to his impassioned speech about Black History Month, while calling out Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is working to have Black history removed from schools and libraries.
“We’ve got governors who want to take our history out of schools, and I’m not going to be the fool to say, ‘Yeah, we can celebrate it for 28 days,’” Green said.
“So at some point, I’d like to get rid of it.”
He went on to make what appeared to be subtle references to the recent controversy surrounding Kyrie Irving being accused of antisemitism after promoting the “Hebrews to Negroes” documentary on social media.
Draymond Green says the U.S. should get rid of Black History month.
“You’ve got governors wanting to take our history out of schools…teach my history from January 1st to December 31st and then do it over again,” pic.twitter.com/2tEqrV6YaE
“We’re making all these changes in the world — can’t talk about these people. Can’t talk about those people,” Draymond said. “Can’t say this. Can’t say that.”
According to the four-time NBA champion, Black History should be celebrated every day, not just for 28 days. It’s why Green is calling for an end to Black History Month and the start of what sounds like Black History Year.
“At some point, it’s time to get rid of Black History Month,” Green stated before clarifying his sentiments.
“Not get rid of Black history, like they’re trying to do. But Black History Month? Nah, teach my history from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, and then do it again. And then again. And then again. And then again. That’s what I’d like to see.”
Venus Williams Lands Position as Newest Operating Partner for Topspin Consumer Partners
Venus Williams is making a grand slam in business.
Wimbledon tennis champion and entrepreneur Venus Williams has been appointed as the newest operating partner for Topspin Consumer Partners, a Mamaroneck, NY-based private equity firm that invests in fast-growing middle-market consumer businesses across health & wellness, personal care, beauty, food & beverage, household goods, pet, and children’s products.
According to a press release, Williams’ new role will require her to broaden marketing strategies, acquire brand exposure, and source new investment opportunities, while implementing innovative strategies to enhance value.
“Venus is not only one of the greatest athletes of all time, but she is also an established entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist,” Topspin Managing Partner Leigh Randall said.
“Having had the pleasure of getting to know Venus for some time through our Operating Partner, Josh Shaw, who has worked closely with Venus and her family for over a decade, all of us at Topspin have been impressed by her strong business acumen, competitive spirit, wellness expertise, and vast professional network. She will serve as an invaluable resource for our portfolio companies, and we look forward to working with her to identify new and exciting investment opportunities,” Randall added.
Williams’ experiences establishing several innovative consumer brands and her inspiring role as a woman in sports is expected to enhance the investment portfolio and pipeline of the firm.
“What resonated with me most about Topspin was the team’s deep understanding of consumer investing and genuine desire to help entrepreneurs and visionaries reach their full potential,” Williams said. “I’ve learned so much about navigating the competitive consumer landscape from my own ventures, and strongly believe this is the perfect opportunity for me to leverage my expertise to add value – whether it be helping the firm’s portfolio companies improve their marketing efforts or identifying up-and-coming businesses to partner with.
“I’m excited to be working alongside such a talented group of investment professionals and advisors in this new role,” she said.
Williams has founded businesses that include plant-based super-food company, Happy Viking; activewear brand, EleVen; and interior design firm, V Starr.
NYPD Searching For Travis Scott After Rapper Allegedly Punched Man at Nightclub
The New York Police Department is searching for Travis Scott after the rapper allegedly punched a sound engineer and caused over $10,000 of damage to a nightclub.
Police responded to Club Nebula at around 3:25 a.m. on Wednesday after a sound engineer said “he was involved in a verbal dispute with” Scott, NBC Newsreports. The “SICKO Mode” rapper is accused of turning the dispute “into a physical altercation” by punching the victim “with a closed fist on the left side of the face.”
Scott is accused of causing $12,000 worth of damage to a speaker and a video screen before fleeing the scene in a car. The rapper was at Nebula for the official afterparty of Don Toliver’s show at Irving Plaza.
The “Goosebumps” rapper’s lawyer claims the incident was just a “misunderstanding” that was blown out of proportion.
“While this is clearly a misunderstanding being blown out of proportion by clickbait and misinformation, we are actively working with the venue and law enforcement to resolve and set the record straight,” Scott’s attorney, Mitchell Schuster, said.
“We are confident our client will be cleared of any wrongdoing.”
Ritchie Romero, the managing partner of Club Nebula, also claims the dispute was “blown completely out of proportion,” ETreports. “It was a great night.”
Scott is no stranger to controversy. He came under fire in 2021 following a mass casualty at his Astroworld Festival in his hometown of Houston.
The “Butterfly Effect” rapper recently parted ways with reality star and beauty mogul Kylie Jenner after six years and two children. He shares daughter Stormi, 5, and 12-month-old son Aire with the Kylie Cosmetics founder.
The two continue to co-parent their children after years of an off-and-on relationship.
“Being a dad is better than what I thought it would be,” Travis toldXXL Magazine in 2021. “Stormi is one of the best human beings I know. She’s like my best friend. She just inspires me and she surprises me every day with how she’s thinking.”
The Big Payback: NYPD and the City Settle with George Floyd Protestors for a Massive $7 Million
Protesters who joined the George Floyd protests in New York City are getting ready to receive a huge payout.
ABC Newsreported the city and New York Police Department have agreed to pay millions of dollars to protesters who were arrested and detained during a 2020 protest in the Bronx.
The court filing claimed police used a crowd control tactic known as “kettling” to confine over 300 protesters into a small space. The total cost of the settlement is estimated to be close to $7 million, with each protestor receiving $21,500, believed to be the highest per-person settlement award in a mass arrest class action lawsuit. One plaintiff’s attorney, Ali Frick, is excited for this victory. “We are really pleased with the settlement,” Frick said. “This was essentially a premeditated show of force against people who were demonstrating against police violence.”
According to the lawsuit, NYPD used bicycles to surround protesters, while other officers, some in riot gear, attacked demonstrators. Some were beaten with batons, kicked, punched, and pepper sprayed. USA Todayreported at least 61 people were hurt and sustained injuries, including a broken nose, lost tooth, sprained shoulder, broken finger, split lip, black eyes, and bruises.
The use of “kettling,” also known as “trap and detain,” has been heavily criticized by several city and police department leaders nationwide. Human Rights Watch, a civil rights organization, says the incident violated international human rights laws. Some activists have compared it to “Bloody Sunday,” when state troopers viciously attacked peaceful protestors marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, AL in March 1965.
“The violence unleashed upon us that night was intentional, unwarranted, and will be with me for the rest of my life,” plaintiff Charles Henry Wood said. “What the NYPD did, aided by the political powers of New York City, was an extreme abuse of power.”
The NYPD blamed COVID-19 for the outburst, saying protests in the midst of it were “challenging” and claimed they have revised how they respond to protests.
Damian Lillard Given Drug Test Right After Scoring Career-High 71 Points
Evidently, in this era of the NBA, a basketball player can’t have a career game without explanation.
According to USA Today, shortly after having a career game where he scored 71 points, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard had to take a drug test.
Lillard’s 71 points were not only a career-high, but also set a franchise record for the Portland Trailblazers. It also matched the most points scored this season, which was done by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell. In scoring 71 points, the Trailblazers guard is now tied for the eighth-most points scored in a game in NBA history. He is currently tied with Mitchell and two NBA Hall-of-Famers, Elgin Baylor (who did it in 1960) and David Robinson (who achieved the feat in 1994).
His performance was evidently so spectacular that the league felt it necessary to have him drug-tested. When asked what his reaction was to the drug test, Lillard said he was less than thrilled.
“I mean, honestly, I was like ‘Are y’all serious?’ I did the urine test yesterday and then they backed it up with the blood draw tonight after the game. That was actually the first time in my career getting tested after a game. And then aside from that, they know I am scared of needles. I know I got a lot of tattoos, but when you’re doing a blood draw it is different than tattoos.”
“It brought me down up from here to the floor, all the way until it was done. And then once they finished it I was like, ‘Alright, I got that out of the way, so.’”
Dame said TONIGHT was the first time he had been blood-draw drug-tested following a game in his entire career.
Beyoncé Honored at the House of Representatives: ‘She’s an Icon, She’s a Legend’
Who knew that there was a dedicated faction of the BeyHive currently in political office?
According to The Hill, a freshman congressman made a statement on the floor that honored R&B Queen Diva, Beyoncé, in two separate ways. On Wednesday, Rep. Robert Garcia of California stated that he wanted to end Black History Month, as well as start Women’s History Month, with an acknowledgment honoring Beyonce.
On the floor of the House of Representatives, Garcia said, “Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the end of Black History Month and the beginning of Women’s History Month by honoring an individual who represents both so well. She’s an icon, she’s a legend, and she is now and forever the moment. I wanna celebrate none other than who I believe is the undisputed queen of pop and R&B: Beyoncé Knowles Carter.”
This speech may get Garcia into the much-hyped upcoming Renaissance Tour, which will be her first world tour since 2016’s Formation world tour.
Garcia mentioned the fact that the “brown-skinned girl” out of Houston recently won her 32nd Grammy, making her the most decorated winner of the coveted award.
“She’s a creator and an artist. When the radio said to speed it up, she went slower. And I’ll never forget the time I saw Destiny’s Child perform for the very first time. It was life-changing for me and the way I experienced music,” Garcia said. “I became an instant fan then and have been a huge fan ever since.”
This is a much different call-out than what Tiphani Montgomery, a public speaker and published author, did last month. She went in the opposite direction when she accused Beyoncé of using her fame and power “for the kingdom of darkness.”
Yet, The Shade Roomreposted various clips of Montgomery’s rant along with screenshots of two old tweets she sent out after attending an earlier Beyoncé concert.
